Six serving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the Zamfara House of Assembly have announced their defection to the ruling APC.
They cited alleged disregard and disrespect to the nation’s constitution by the State Legislature as some of the major reasons for abandoning the PDP.
The members jointly made their decision known on Wednesday while sitting in Gusau, the state capital after deliberating over the poor management of the legislative arm.
They said the arm had since compromised its duties by serving as an extension of the Governor’s office and a rubber stamp to Gov. Dauda Lawal.
The members tendered their separate letters before the factional Speaker, Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi.
They said that having been illegally suspended for about two years now, which had also silenced their constituents as elected members, they had since formed a parallel assembly.
The defectors also said that they have been challenging the illegalities of both the so-called government recognised faction and the executive.
The defected lawmakers included the factional Speaker, Hon. Bashar Gummi, member representing Gummi 1, Hon. Nasiru Maru, member representing Maru North and Bashir Masama, Member representing Bukkuyum North.
The rest were: Hon. Bashir Bello, member representing Bungudu West, Hon. Amiru Keta, member representing Tsafe West and Hon. Mukhtar Kaura, member representing Kaura.Namoda North.
They claimed that without them, the present faction of the legislature working with the governor had been taking decisions and passing laws without forming the required quorum and therefore such laws were null and void.
They urged the National Assembly to investigate their case and take the right steps towards ensuring that order and rule of law are fully adhered to in the state legislature.
On their decision to join the opposition APC in the state, the lawmakers cited justice, fair play, harmony and inclusiveness as the attraction that drew them so that they can return and work for the growth and development of the state and welfare of their constituents.
(NAN)
